Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

A 53 mile walking trail combining the Causeway Coast Way and the Moyle Way, walking between Portrush to Ballycastle, and through the Glens of Antrim to Cushendall. This route can be walked in either direction.

Walking holiday on Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim with Let's Go Walking

Walking holiday on Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim with Let's Go Walking

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday
7 nights and 6 days walking
Cushendall to Portrush

A 53 mile self-guided Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday on the Ulster Way walking trail around Northern Ireland, situated in the sheltered waters of the North Channel between Northern Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland. The trail in the Glens of Antrim is known as the Moyle Way.

This magnificent self guided walking holiday combines many varied habitats, a fascinating mixture of seaside towns, small harbours, tidal beaches and rolling hills. The Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope-bridge, a day trip to Rathlin Island and the Glens of Antrim are among the many highlights.

This route can also be walked in the opposite direction from Portrush to Cushendall.

Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.

The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.

We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.

Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.

We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.

Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.

All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing.  The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.

This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.

The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.

Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.

Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday
Suggested Tour Duration:

7 nights, 6 days walking
Total Distance:
53 miles
Min/max daily distance:
8/17 miles
Average Daily distance:
9 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:

Giant’s Causeway
Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Rathlin Island
Glens of Antrim

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday
Cushendall to Ballycastle to Portrush
Day by Day Itinerary

Optional Day in Belfast

Day 1: Arrive at Cushendall   
To start your walking holiday on The Glens Of Antrim Moyle Way walking trail you make your own way to Cushendall, Northern Ireland (Ulster) for your first night’s accommodation. Cushendall is well connected to Belfast by bus. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary as well as ferry or plane travel from UK. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday on The Glens of Antrim Moyle Way and Causeway Coast Way.

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Optional Day in Cushendall   

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Day 2: Waterfoot or Cushendall to Orra Beg       14.5 or 17 miles   
Today you can start your walking with a pleasant coastal walk from Cushendall to the little town of Waterfoot, or we can transfer you to Waterfoot shortening your walk to 14.5 miles. One of the highlights of The Glens of Antrim and Moyle Way walking trail is the Essathothan Waterfall. You then ascend into Glenariff Forest, famous for birds of prey and mixed woodland. Then the walking trail emerges in to open moorland in the shadow of Trostan Mountain before reaching Orra Beg. At Orra Beg you will be met and transferred to Cushendall for your overnight stay.

Day 3: Orra Beg to Ballycastle         11.5 miles

We transfer you back to Orra Beg where the walking is on open moorland in the shadow of Trostan Mountain. The route passes ancient standing stones and through forests, and all around there are great views. The walking trail follows the course of the River Glenshesk with its many waterfalls and a chance to see red squirrels. On walking into Ballycastle the hiking trail follows the route of the old disused railway which ran from Ballycastle to Ballymena under the shadow of Knocklayd Mountain. Ballycastle has a fine selections of bars and restaurants, it also has a fine beach and pretty little harbour.

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Day 4: Day trip to Rathlin Island      2-14 miles   easy, mileage to suit

Any visit to the Causeway Coast of Ireland should include a trip to this special island. Rathlin Island is only 6 miles north of Ballycastle and the ferry takes between 20 and 45 minutes. Rathlin Island is an L shaped island seven miles long famous for its seabird colony and rare flora. There are plenty of walking trails as well as a bar and a cafe and is the only offshore inhabited island in Northern Ireland. Cost of ferry not included in price of holiday. You return to Ballycastle for your overnight stay.

Day 5:  Ballycastle to Ballintoy         8 miles   easy     
Walking on from Ballycastle you start your walk on The Causeway Coast Way via Kenbane Head with the white cliffs of Rathlin Island in view.  The trail soon reaches another highlight of the Causeway Coast Way hiking tour, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, strung between the cliffs 30 meters above the sea to allow fishermen to reach their fishing nets. The bridge is a detour off the route and therefore can be avoided!  The route then passes Larry Bane Bay before reaching Ballintoy and your overnight stop.

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Day 6:  Ballintoy to Giant’s Causeway/Bushmills    10 miles   easy

Walking on from Ballintoy the walking trail crosses White Park Bay. The hiking trail passes the hamlet of Portbraddan, the site of Ireland’s smallest Church, and the ruined Dunseverick Castle. As you are walking on the cliff tops of the Causeway Coast Way you have a superb view of the Giant’s Causeway far below. In good visibility Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre can be seen, as well as the islands of Islay and Jura .You may wish you can take a restored tramway from the Giant’s Causeway to Bushmills. The Giant’s Causeway is the highlight of any walking holiday in Ireland.

Optional day at the Giants Causeway

Day 7:  Giant’s Causeway/Bushmills to Portrush    8 miles    easy

Walking on from Gaints Causeway/Bushmills you may wish to take a short detour for a visit to famous Bushmills Whiskey Distillery. The hiking trail passes Dunluce Castle. The present castle dates back to the 16th century but the site may have been used by the Normans in the 12th century. The seaside town of Portrush is soon reached with it fine beaches, harbour and good selection of resturants and shops. Portrush is well connected to Belfast by train and bus. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary as well as ferry or plane travel from UK.

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim walking holiday in Northern Ireland with Lets Go Walking

Optional day at Portrush

Optional Day in Belfast

Day 8: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time in the area.
We can transfer you to your car or station.

Please note the following events in the area:
The Giants Causeway trail run will take place Saturday 13th Apr 2024.  This will affect your enjoyment of the area.
The North West 200 Bike Race takes place 7th to 11th May 2024.
The Giants Causeway Sportif cycle race usually takes place the middle of June. The date has not yet been announced.
The Northern Ireland AirShow usually takes place the second weekend in September. The dates have not yet been announced.
This affects the availability of accommodation in the entire area and our ability to deliver your luggage. 
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on Causeway Coast Way we suggest you avoid this area around these dates.

Glens of Antrim and Causeway Coast Way Walking Holiday
from Cushendall to Ballycastle to Portrush
in Northern Ireland
(east to west)
8 day itinerary

6 days walking and 7 nights

Suggested Itinerary
Optional Dayoptional extra day in Belfast
Day 1:arrive Cushendall
Optional Dayoptional extra day in Cushenalll
Day 2:Cushendall or Waterfoot to Orra Beg14 or 17 miles
Day 3:Orra Beg to Ballycastle12 miles
Day 4:day trip to Rathlin Island2-14 mileage to suit
Day 5:Ballycastle to Ballintoy
via Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (optional)
8 miles
Day 6:Ballintoy to Bushmills
via Giants Causeway
10 miles
Optional Dayoptional extra day at Giants Causeway
Day 7:Bushmills to Portrush8 miles
Optional Dayoptional extra day in Portrush
Day 8:depart Portrush
Optional Dayoptional extra day in Belfast
Prices per person for Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim
8 day itnerary 7 nights
Double or Twin
Occupancy
Single Occupancy
travelling with others
Solo
Traveller
2024£840£1,253£1,393

All prices subject to change

Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
Causeway Coast Way

Can be added when booking online

Subject to availability              Supplement per person per night

Portrush
Atlantic Hotel

double/twin
£45.00

single
please ask

Magherabour Hotel

£45.00

please ask

Royal Court Hotel

£54.00

please ask

Causeway
Grays Hotel

double/twin
£29.00

single
£88.00

Causeway Hotel

£75.00

please ask

Ballycastle
Marine Hotel

double/twin
£55.00

single
£128.00

What’s included
in your Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday in UK

  • accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
  • daily luggage transfer
  • support should there be any problems on route
  • detailed itineraries

Optional Extras
for your Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday in UK

  • upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
  • transfers back to car or station
  • parking facilities
  • rest days
  • inn to inn walks

What’s not included
in your Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday in UK

  • day trip ticket to Rathlin Island
  • lunches and dinners
  • travel insurance
  • entrance to Giants Causeway (National Trust)

Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.

Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.

This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.

UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252

March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
 March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or

Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim Walking Holiday:
How to get there

  • By Plane to Belfast or Londonderry where we can arrange transfer to Portrush or Cushendall
  • By Sea to Belfast or Larne
  • By Car to Portrush or Cushendall where parking is available
  • By Train / Bus to Portrush or Cushendall

We have Coastal Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.

This is one of our categories of walking holidays.